Governor Okowa, Obafemi Awolowo are in the same class of leadership – Funkekeme Solomon

As politicians battle for elective offices in the 2019 general elections, Chairman of the governing council of the Delta state polytechnic, Ozoro, Funkekeme Solomon, has thrown his weight behind the sitting Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to remain in office till 2023.

He said his support for the sitting governor is based on the unwritten rotational agreement among the three senatorial districts of the state where Delta central and south have had their shots in the governorship of the state through James Ibori and Emmanuel Uduaghan from 1999 to 2015.

Funkekeme, who has been member of the Delta state house of assembly and state commissioner for works, noted: “We are all stakeholders in the project Delta. We have all agreed that there be rotational administration of this state. It will bring peace to all of us. Okowa is doing very well. His management style is close to that of Obafemi Awolowo.

“He identified the major issue in Asaba which is flooding and he is tackling it headlong. Even though the cost is enormous, even though it will cost him so much money, it is worth doing. Hence, he requires another opportunity to consolidate on his government.

“Let’s allow Delta north to complete its second term. Delta central and south should perish thoughts of pursuing government house in 2019. For me, I stand with Governor Okowa for 2019. He should be allowed to go.”

Answering a question on the most tasking job, being a member of the house of assembly, commissioner for works and chairman of the polytechnic governing council, Funkekeme said the most tasking and challenging is chairman of the polytechnic governing council.

He stated that the chairman’s office is more challenging reason being that he takes decision that affects people’s jobs, future and destiny and if care is not taking, any wrong decision taken could be detrimental to the academic pursuit of students and the jobs of lecturers and other non-academic staff.

“I always pray that the polytechnic does not die in my hand. You also know civil servants are enemies to themselves. Issues are always coming to my office. I need to have the wisdom to make right decisions. To appoint somebody in Delta is a problem. One opening may receive up to 40 applications.”

On the issue of sexual harassment on campus, he said his governing council has warned staff against such practice, noting that any staff caught in such unholy relations would face the full weight of the law.